The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and relevant links.

Paper-like Frost on Tree Branches

These photos show amazing, paper-like advectionfrost on trees in the woodlands of Monte Curt, near Almese, Italy. Below freezing temperatures, fog and very strong winds created these unusual frosty deposits on the windward side (against the direction the wind was blowing) of exposed tree branches. The supercooled water droplets in the wind-driven fog froze immediately upon contacting the branches. As droplets brought by the wind freeze they accumulate outward from the surface they’re deposited on. Frost continued to accumulate until the wind stopped blowing. Photos taken on March 27, 2013.